By ADRIAN MWANZA
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has appointed the Public Private Partnership (PPP) council, comprising nine individuals, five of whom are cabinet ministers.
The council agreed in unison that in the wake of fiscal constraints, the PPPs would take center stage in infrastructure development, with focus on projects that would have sustained impact on economic transformation, job-creation, wealth-creation, and improving the competitiveness of the Zambian economy.
President Hichilema appointed Mr Situmbeko Musokotwane who is also Finance minister as the Chairman of the Council.
The council held its inaugural meeting (virtual) on Friday for orientation on the modus operandi and legislation related to public private partnerships to support national development.
As stated in the 2022 Budget speech the PPP would soon begin a consultation process to facilitate repeal and replacement of the Public Private Partnership Act No. 14 of 2009, in order to centralize approval of projects, avoid contingent liabilities of PPPs on the treasury, and address other shortcomings of the current law.
The full council comprises of Situmbeko Musokotwane, Charles Milupi, Minister of Infrastructure, Chipoka Mulenga the Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry, Frank Tayali, Minister of Transport and Logistics and Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science.
Others in the council are Margaret Mudenda, Noel Nkhoma, Mukela Muyunda; and Abraham Mwenda.
